Key-receptacle.



T. ROBINSON. KEY BEGEPTAGLE.

APPLICATION I'ILBD 1111117. 1908 926,963, Patented July 6, 1909.

1 ATTOR 5y ANDREW. Bv GRAHAM 00., mw-umocmmsu. WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS ROBINSON, OF EVERETT, WASHINGTON.

KEY-RE CEPTACLE Application filed. January 17, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS ROBINSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Everett, in the county of Snohomish, State of WVashington, have invented new and useful Improvements in Key-Receptacles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to means and methods of recording the condition of mechanisms, and comprises the novel parts, combinations and steps hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a means and method whereby recording devices such as are now in use may be relied upon to indicate the condition of other mechanisms.

The scope of my invention may be determined by an inspection of the claims terminating this specification.

In the drawings accompanying this specification I have shown my device embodied in a form which is now preferred by me as applied to the recording of the condition of one form of device.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the mechanism employed in connection with a valve. Fig. 2 shows the manner of securing my device in place.

Recording devices, such as the ordinary watchmans clock, which record the time and fact of doing certain acts are in common use. My device is designed for use in connection with devices of this character and to make the record secured a record also of the condition of certain mechanisms at the time the record was made.

A common form of recording device is that known as a watchmans clock, which indicates the performances of a series of acts at various times and places by the actuation thereof through the means of unlike keys distributed along a prescribed route. My device is designed to be attached to, or used in connection with, the controlling member of any suitable mechanism, and to be itself controlled by said member so that the clockoperating or registering key is inaccessible for the operation of the clock, except when this controlling member is in a prescribed position or condition. As such clocks are commonly operated the keys for operating them are accessible at all times and there is no connection between the key and the con- Speci fication of Letters Patent.

trolling member which is affected by theposi- Patented July 6, 1909.

Serial No. 411,239.

tion of said controlling member, or by the possibility of operating the clock by. the key. In other words, the operation of the clock is independent of the position or condition of the device which is supposed to be inspected or guarded by the watchman. As a definite instance of the kind of use referred to may be cited that in connection with the valves of an automatic sprinkler system. In such systems there are often a number of valves by which the presence or absence of water in the pipes may be controlled. In this par ticular apparatus it is desirable that these valves should be open at all times so that the pipes be filled with water under pressure; otherwise the automatic feature of the system would be destroyed.

By my system and invention I connect the keys at all stations containing mechanisms of this character, with a member of such mechanism which controls its position or condition, or which moves in harmony therewith, and provide means whereby the clock key is made inaccessible for the operation of the clock except when the parts of this mechanism are in the desired position. In the case of a valve the obvious connection would be with the valve stem or with the wheel or lever by which it is operated. A record made by any station key so controlled, is a positive record that the mechanism of that station was at that time in the desired position. The value of such a record in certain contingencies is evident.

My invention is not limited to use with the particular mechanism above mentioned, but it may be applied to the controlling member of any mechanism.

The means which I have chosen to illustrate the application of my invention consist of the valve of a pipe system, such as might be used with a sprinkler system. This mechanism is as follows: The pi e I is supposed to supply water to a sprinkler system and has a valve I-I therein by which the water is controlled. The stem A, or the wheel B, constitutes the controlling member of this device. A sprocket wheel C is secured to turn with the stem. The chain D passes over this wheel and a companion wheel E. The key K, by which the Watchmans clock is operated, is connected with the chain D by a short chain G, and the chain D is inclosed within a casing F, excepting at one end of its course. The casing may be supported in any convenient way, as by arm J secured upon the pipe I. When the key is drawn within the casing, as would happen when the valve was closed, it would be impossible for the watchman to operate his clock with this key. His record would, therefore, show a blank for this station, unless he should turn the valve wheel so as to open the valve and thereby make key K accessible. If his record for this station is complete, then it is certain that the valve was open at the time he was there.

The casing F may be of various shapes and dimensions, the essential feature being, only, that it renders the key inaccessible except when the mechanism with Which it is used is in the desired position. The connection of the key with the valve stem, or analogous part, may be anything desired so that the key is rendered inaccessible for operation of.

the clock whenever the valve is closed. There are numerous ways in which this may be done, but further illustration thereof is not deemed necessary.

It is evident that my invention may be applied to the checking and recording of the condition of any type of controlling member for any kind of mechanism. The means which may be employed for connecting the clock keys with said controlling members, is capable of wide variations without departing from the spirit of my invention.

The essence of my invention lies in the 0011- nection of the member by which the recording device is operated with a member by which another device is controlled, so that said operating member is inaccessible for the operation of the recording device except when the controlling member is in a certain position or positions. This position in the case of a valve maybe either open or closed as desired.

My invention may be employed in connection with the recording of the condition of valves, doors, locks, and other movable devices which control various conditions and mechanisms.

The mechanism as to which it is desired to provide a record, which mechanism as herein shown and described consists of the valve H, may, for convenience be called the primary mechanism, while the time clock or analogous mechanism may be called a secondary mechanism. The terms time clock and key, wherever used are to be construed as generic terms meaningthe former any recording mechanism suitable for such uses; and the latter, any device used for operating the former to produce a record.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A means for checking the indications made by a recording device, such as a time clock, when used to record the condition of a movable primary mechanism, comprising a key for operating the recording device, a controlling member by its relative position determining the usability of the key, and means permanently connecting the key with the primary movable mechanism to produce relative movement between the two, whereby the usability of the key is determined.

2. The combination with a movable apparatus as to the condition of which a record is desired, of a member adapted to be employed as a key or operating member for a recording device, means permanently connecting said key with a movable part of the first named apparatus, and means whereby the movement of the key thus caused determines its usability.

3. The combination with a movable member of an apparatus as to which a condition record is desired, of a key or analogous member adapted to operate a recording device, a permanent connection between said parts whereby said key is moved in correspondence to said movable member, and a shield rendering said key unusable in certain positions of the key.

4. The combination with a member of an apparatus as to the condition of which a record is desired, said member being rotatable and by its rotation controlling the condition of said. apparatus, a sprocket chain running upon said member, a companion or idler wheel for said chain, a key carried by said chain and adapted to operate a recording device, and a shield covering said key in certain positions thereof.

5. A recording or check attachment for movable controlling parts of mechanisms, comprising a key adapted to operate a recording device, a casing and means connecting said controlling part with the key to draw the key within the casing in certain positions of the controlling part.

6. In a sprinkler system, the combination of a valve, a sprocket chain movable with and by said valve and carrying a key, and a shield adapted to cover said key in certain positions to thereby render it inaccessible for operating a recording device.

7. In asprinkler system, the combination with a valve thereof, akeyadapted to operate a recording device, a shield for said key, a movable member of said valve which controls its opening, and permanent connections between said key and said member, whereby when the valve is in a predetermined position said shield renders the key unusable.

8. In a sprinkler system, in combination, a valve, a rotatable stem for said valve, a wheel turned by said stem a chain moved by said wheel, a key secured. to said chain and adapted to operate a recording device, and a shield covering said key and rendering it unusable in certain positions of the valve.

9. In a sprinkler, in combination, a valve,

mechanism for 0 ening and closing said prevent the operation of a recording device valve, a keyii mec efinsilm pelrmanently 0011; by said key.

neotin said ey wit t e Va ve opening anc closing mechanism whereby the position of THOMAS ROBINSON the key is determined, and a shield adapted Witnesses:

to cover said key in certain positions of the SOHUYLER DURYEE,

Valve operating mechanism and to thereby A. D. CAMPBELL. 

